ABINGDON, VA (May 29, 2012) – National Fatherhood Initiative’s 24/7 Dad™ Program Being Used to Connect Fathers to their Children. Highlands Community Services is helping fathers get the skills they need to be involved in their children’s lives through National Fatherhood Initiative’s 24/7 Dad™ program.

A group of dads is going through a 12-session workshop that will give them the parenting, relationship, and communication skills they need to be involved, responsible, and committed fathers. The program is being facilitated by Highlands Community Services’ Prevention and Education Department.

Lisa Topshee, Direct of Prevention and Education, says that, “We are excited to provide this excellent program to non-custodial dads who want to gain entry into their children’s lives as well as custodial dads who simply need a helping hand to succeed.”

“NFI is excited about Highlands Community Services efforts to help fathers build their skills through the 24/7 Dad™ program,” said Roland C. Warren, president of National Fatherhood Initiative. “Research shows that a major barrier to father involvement is a lack of skills in dads, many of whom grew up without fathers in their lives. At a time when 1 in 3 children live in father-absent homes, Highlands Community Services should be applauded for its efforts to help dads get involved.”

Developed by fathering and parenting experts, 24/7 Dad™ focuses on the characteristics that men need to be involved fathers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This community-based program helps men develop the attitudes, knowledge, and skills they need to get — and stay — involved with their children. 24/7 Dad™ focuses on key fathering characteristics — like masculinity, discipline, and work/family balance — and helps men evaluate their own parenting skills, as well as their fathering role models.

Highlands Community Services is a multi-faceted Community Service Board providing Mental Health, Substance Abuse, and Intellectual Disability services to the residents of Bristol and Washington County, VA. To learn more about Project Dads call 276.525.1550 or log onto www.highlandscsb.org for general HCS information.